Reset in ties with West on the cards under Shehbaz-led govt

The coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is seeking to reset ties with the West particularly the United States even though it is not certain whether Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would become the foreign minister.

The chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was not among the cabinet members who were sworn in on Tuesday a week after the election of Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister.

But induction of Hina Rabani Khar as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs means that the key portfolio would go to the PPP. Reports suggest that Bilawal is still considering joining the cabinet as foreign minister as certain issues between PPP and PMLN have yet to be sorted out.

For this purpose, it is said, Bilawal would join the federal cabinet after meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in London.

While clarity on Bilawal joining the cabinet would emerge soon, Khar on Tuesday took charge of her new role. She served as foreign minister between 2011 and 2013 during the PPP tenure. She replaced Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who resigned as foreign minister over differences on the Raymond Davis saga.

On her first day in office, Khar was briefed by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood.

Also read: US ‘looks forward’ to closer cooperation with new Pakistani government

Official sources told The Express Tribune that major changes are expected in the foreign policy under the new government. The main focus, according to sources, would be to repair damage done to the relationship with the West and the US during the PTI government.

“The government can show certain achievements on the foreign policy in short time,” said one official, who expects a major reach out to the European countries and the US.

In fact the reach out is already underway. The new government twice issued statements underlining the importance of a long-term relationship with the US.

Washington has too responded positively to the new government’s desire for better ties as the State Department spokesperson expressed his desire to work with the Shehbaz administration.

It is believed that the infamous diplomatic cable that according to former PM Imran Khan contained evidence of a regime change in Pakistan has damaged relationship between the two countries.

Not only that the working of the foreign office has also been affected as many diplomats were not happy the way previous government politicised the entire issue.

It is likely the new government would further clarify and may seek access to the original cypher to find out the exact contents of the conversation between the Pakistani ambassador and the US official.

The Shehbaz-led government is also keen to reach out to the European countries which under Imran Khan administration were largely ignored. The former premier hardly undertook a bilateral trip to any European country as he twice cancelled visit to UK much to the dismay of British government.

Similarly, the new government would seek greater cooperation with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Shebhaz is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia later this month. Prior to his departure, he received a telephone call from Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Saudi ambassador also met him the other day to personally invite him for a visit.

Also read: Pakistan needs a balanced, not independent, foreign policy

Sources privy to the developments said both the telephone call and meeting between Shehbaz and Saudi envoy were unusually warm and cordial.

The election of Shehbaz has also sent a positive signal to China, according to sources.

Following the Saudi visit, Shehbaz would also travel to China. Although chances of any major breakthrough are slim, tensions between Pakistan and India may ease. Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart exchanged letters and both expressed the desire for constructive engagement.

Given the military establishment also keen in seeking de-escalation, the two sides may take certain steps to lower the years of tensions.